We leave London and our first port of call is the ancient town of Beconsfield and the nearby Mayflower Barn, a Quaker Meeting House built from timbers of this historic ship. Drive through the picture post card Chiltern Hills towards mediaeval Oxford, 'city of the dreaming spires'. Here you'll enjoy a guided walk through the colleges. Literature fans will delight to see the places associated with C.S. Lewis, Tolkein, 'Alice in Wonderland' and even Harry Potter's 'Hogwarts'! Next on our perfect day, we'll see Winston Churchill's tomb at Bladon and visit Blenheim Palace, his remarkable birthplace. Overnight in the Cotswolds.

Stratford-upon-Avon with its Shakespearean sites is today's first destination, with free time to explore this interesting town before visiting the lesser-known house of Shakespeare's mother and taking a most informative tour learning about life in the 1500s. This afternoon we visit the incredible Warwick Castle with ample time to explore both the castle and the mediaeval town. We then see the prehistoric Rollright Stones and visit the picturesque Kenilworth Castle. Overnight in the Cotswolds.

This morning we explore the very best of the Cotswolds including famed market towns like Chipping Camden, then the preserved village of Lacock, where TV aerials, telephone wires and advertising are banned. This location has been used as a film set in everything from 'Pride and Prejudice' to 'Harry Potter'. The local abbey was where George Fox Talbot pioneered photography. Finally, we visit Avebury and tour the incredible World Heritage prehistoric temple site and see the mysterious Silbury hill. We return to London at about 6pm.

Note:
A pre-tour passenger pick-up charge of approx. $30 per party applies when London accommodation is other than a hotel nominated by Back Roads Touring and a higher charge applies if your hotel is located outside central London. All passengers are returned to their central London hotel after each tour. Pre & Post Tour accommodation offers available on application.